LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



0.. 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 



NYMPHS, NIXIES 
AND NAIADS 

LEGENDS OF THE RHINE 



M. A. B. EVANS 

• ! 

AUTHOR OF " IN VARIOUS MOODS ' 



WITH ILLUSTRAflONS BY 

Wm. a. McCullough 




G. p. PUTNAM'S SONS 



NEW VOKK LONDON 

27 West Twenty-third Street 24 Bedford Street, Strand 

"Cbc Tl^iucSerbockcv ipvess 
1895 



763^? 



Copyright, 1895 

BY 

M. A. B. EVANS 



Ube Iftnicfterbocfter press, l^cw IRocbelle, IR. ^. 



TO 
MY FATHER 



CONTENTS. 



Legends of the Rhine .... 

Legend of the Cologne Cathedral 

The Kobold and the Bishop of Hildesheim 
Kitchen-Boy 

Schwartz-Rheindorf 

Nonnenworth and Rolandseck 

The Dance o' the Dead . 

The Lurlei 

Bishop Hatto's Treason . 

Fastrada's Ring 

The Priestess of Hertha 

Alt-Windeck 



PAGE 
13 



33 
43 
51 
61 

67 
79 
39 
97 

107 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



The follow i7ig full-page illustrations^ as well as the designs in 
the text, are from drawings by IV. A. McCullough. 



PAGE 

" The Lurlei." ..... Frontispiece V 



" Gave a rose." . . . . . , • 53 u 

" High up on the rocks, in the moonlight's gleam, 
The Lurlei weaves her spell." . . .69 

" This is her magic ring." . . . . . 91 v 

" Who wave their thin white veils 
And dance upon the lake." . . . . 99 v 



HAv^mpbe, IHiyicci, anb maiabci. 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 



1R?mpb0, IRiyiee, anb IRaiabe. 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 

V/'E sprites and elves with which Germania's 

* shore 
Was thickly peopled in the days of yore, 
Ye brownies, fairies, kobolds grim and gray, 
And water-nymphs, disporting night and day. 
Gome in a host, and answer to my call. 
Though unbelief has driven away you all 
To hide in rocky caverns, sea, and cloud. 
So that you dare not laugh or speak aloud 
As in those merry days the world was young, 
And people smiled and jested, laughed and 

sung, 
Without these groanings of the inner sense, 
These metaphysical discussions dense, 
O'erawing, puzzling, darkening our life. 
And making it with such vexed questions rife 
As in these latter days attack our brains. 
Ah ! then it was enough to live. The rains 
Of heaven were sweet, the sunshine passing 

fair, 

13 



XYMPHS. XIXIES, AXD X A IADS. 




While all about, in sea, and earth, and air, 
Peeped forth th' ideal world, which we in vain 
Strive after now, with heavy heart and brain. 
The world has grown too old, or else 

too wise. 
\ veil has fallen over learned eyes, 
.\nd lack of faith has chilled. But 
just once more 
Come forth, O fays, and scatter 

blessings o'er 
A band of earnest seekers after all 
The higher joys, as well as those 
which fall 
More easily within the grasp 
^ of those 

\ Who much prefer to poetry 
r^ plam prose. 

'')f varied tastes indeed 

were all the five 
Companions, though most 
eager and alive 
Each in a way distinct to 

him alone. 
To view the noble city of 

Cologne. 
The doctor, stout and 
burly, hair quite gray, 
Eyes sharp and keen, from which a merry ray 



c-S^^ 



^'^'. 



k 



J 






;^ 



LEGENDS OF THE RHIXE. I 5 

Shot ever and anon, was apt to view 
The whole of life beneath the rosy hue 
Of kindly thoughts with scientific lore 
Commingled. Next the student from the 

shore 
Of far America, that land of hope, 
So large and vast that in its mighty scope 
It sways the world ; and men of all degree 
May feel themselves on those broad acres 

free. 
Our student was a man of worthy name. 
His sires of Revolutionary fame, 
And in his heart and inmost soul there 

burned 
Deep love of country ; though he sometimes 

yearned. 
As now, to taste poetic fountains rare 
Of other lands than that he thought most 

fair. 
Besides, he had a fancy to behold 
Some records, and to hear some legends old 
Of his Dutch ancestors, from whom he held 
His home by ever\' traveler beheld 
^\^lo journeys down the Hudson's lovely 

stream. 
He had been charmed with Holland. Xow 

his scheme 
Of travel took the tamed, historic Rhine. 



i6 jrrjfi'^s, -V7XZ£-S. ^jci> jrAiAZts. 

Aud oxfaer places ^d^ich be deemed most 

mie. 
Xai many moiirb? of inne had he lo speed 

Along rbe var -where erraui fimcies lead. 
E.acr fieeiiiig momeni held an added zest. 
And made him wish of sights to choose ti>e 

besi. 
Of ihis qninisne xhr z'nirc. £ marron wise, 
Ftoiii Eosion, who viih sympaiheac eyes 
And kindrr lovt locked on the German daine 
And her fair dan^iiei, who bni tnst now 

Td ioxn xhe oihss ai Cologne. For friends. 
In ihai une comTadeship wiiich nsTex ends. 
From eanr T^omh had these rwo matrons 

heen : 
(Soih wddows now I. and ¥'iiL Therri aluai^ 

seen 
Tt T mi'lirnl davs The smdeni s mother s ira-il 
And lofvehr fprm. which withered n^afh ihe 

Of f Dmme 5 . - .aier in her life. 

^Wlien scarce two sinraneis had she been a 

wife. 
The doctor, z^z. z friend of linse 

dajs 
Whfrr 1d-~t : j^r^r :.i i i-lais "we: 
And -evf^-' T r bir^im I'DS&Aefor^ 



LEGEXDS OF THE RHIXE. 1 7 

Oh, that the strength of life came then I For 

thus 
Would higher ends be wrought and actions 

done. 
Alas I th' enthusiasm of youth is gone 
WTien comes the wisdom of our later years. 
Accompanied by self-distrust and fears 
Which youthful hearts would gayly laugh to 

scorn. 
Imagine then a bright and glorious mom 
On which these five went out upon their way. 
Through devious queer and narrow streets to 

stray, 
Assailed by many odors, good and bad. 
The latter far more frequently, 't is sad 
To say, until upon their dazzled sight 
The fair Cathedral, in the morning light. 
Rose like a dream of beauty. Pausing long 
To see its walls and towers, famed in song 
And legend, entered in our pilgrim band 
At length, and putting slyly in the hand 
Of one old sacristan, who stood about 
And waited just to see a party out, 
A fee which warmed his heart, they went to 

view 
The Chapel of the Magi, where most true 
Are skulls, and bones, and jewels rich and rare, 
AMiether or not the holv men are there. 



1 8 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 

Still, let us hope they did indeed find rest, 
As meet they should, within the Church's 

breast. 
Most interesting, too, the Devil's Stone, 
Whereon are seen the marks his claws alone 
Could make. And this same Master-fiend we 

find 
Plays still a part in every German mind 
Inclined to fiction. As to this fair church, 
Traditions tell how sadly in the lurch 
The foul fiend left the puzzled architect 
Who tried to break his bargain, and detect 
A way to serve both God and Mammon, still 
A thing which men find far beyond their skill. 
This tale the sacristan then told, and spoke 
With droning voice, which sometimes hoarsely 

broke. 



LEGEND OF THE COLOGNE 
CATHEDRAL. 



19 



LEGEND OF THE COLOGNE 
CATHEDRAL. 

A RCHBISHOP ENGELBERT, long, long 
ago, 
A mighty cathedral would have. 
Calling the wisest of architects known, 
He thus his commands to him gave. 

" Build me a church of such beauty and grace 

As never before has been seen. 
Spare neither money, nor trouble, nor time, 

But make it like visions unseen. 

" Glorious let the spires rise unto heaven, 

With gems let the altars be girt. 
Thus shall great honor accrue to Cologne, 

And the Archbishop Engelbert." 

Gladly the architect went to his task, — 
He thirsted for honor and fame. 

" If," thought he, " this church should be a 
success, 
All the world will resound with my name. 



22 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 

" Not alone Engelbert, bishop and prince, 
By posterity far shall be known ; 

People will proudly remember the man 
Who built the great church for Cologne. 



Down at his task then he 
seated himself, 
And traced a plan novel 
and fair. 
"Ha!" cried a mocking 
voice close to his ear, 
" That 's the Strassburg 
Cathedral there." 

Back in amazement the ar- 
chitect jumped. 
And vanishing out of his 
sight 

Saw a small, withered, malicious old man, 
Who was laughing with all of his might. 




Memory had indeed played him a trick. 
And that which he thought was his own, 

Verily was but the Strassburg church. 
And not the new plan for Cologne. 



" There ! " he cried out, as he made a new plan 
Of delicate, Gothic design. 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 23 

Nothing is like this ! I 'm surely this time 
Original in every line. 



" Nothing is like it ! " he shouted in joy. 

Again came the voice at his side ; 
Laughing and mocking the old man ap- 
peared, — 

" The Cathedral of Mayence ! " he cried. 

Sad^ but too true, and the architect then, 
With a sigh, drew another plan. "Ah ! 

This is my church," but again sneered the 
voice : 
" The Cathedral of Amiens ! Ha ! Ha ! " 



" Who are you," cried out the puzzled young 
man, 

" That dare to make sport of my work ? 
Can you do better than that yourself ? " 

And he threw him his staff with a jerk. 

Quickly the old man began with the staff 

So novel and bold a design, 
That the poor architect watched in amaze. 

And whispered : " That plan must be 
mine." 



24 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS, 

Ere it was more than half sketched, with a 
stroke 

The old man erased it, and said : 
*' There is a plan which will honor your name, 

And make you remembered when dead." 

'' Sell it to me," cried the architect, wild 
With excitement and rage and despair. 

Mockingly, sneeringly, came the reply, 
In sounds which burnt into the air. 

" Not for your gold," cried the Evil One, 
For 't was he, of course, as you know. 

" Nothing care I for such trumpery stuff ; 
I 've more now than you ever could show. 

" One price, and one only, I '11 take for my 
plan ; 
For that you shall have the whole." 
"Name it! Ah! name it!" "Well, then, 
my son, 
The price I demand is — your soul." 

Stunned and bewildered the architect sank 
On the ground, and a quick flash of light, 

Blinding and reeking with sulphurous smoke, 
Took the little old man from his sight. 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 25 

Horror-struck, home went the builder and 
prayed, 

But yet prayer relieved not his mind. 
Then to confession he thoughtfully went, 

In hopes there some comfort to find. 

Hearing his tale made the kind father quake, 
And yet, for the good of the town, 

Sorry was he to lose such a church. 

When it doubtless would bring much 
renown. 

Pilgrims in crowds would flock to the spot, 
And greater and greater would be 

Yearly the annual revenues, 

That would come to the Holy See. 

" Stay, my dear son," said the worthy old 
priest ; 

'' I know of a scheme which to naught 
All of the works of the Devil will bring, 

And frighten him quicker than thought. 

'' Take, then, this relic, a piece of the cross. 
And go forth without the least fear. 

Fiends cannot touch you, or danger come 
nigh. 
While you hold what e'en devils revere." 



26 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 

Armed with the relic, that very midnight 
He met the foul fiend, and agreed, 

When the plan, perfected, should be his own, 
He 'd sign, Avith his blood, the deed. 



Stooping to find a sharp stone to draw blood, 
For neither of them had a knife, 

Satan dropped, just for a moment, his plan. 
Which the architect seized, for his life. 



'' Satan, avaunt ! By this relic I charge 
You go to the place whence you came ! " 

" Vanquished, 't is true," snarled the Evil One, 
But I '11 have my revenge all the same. 



" Yoti ne'er shall profit by this, my defeat ; 

And the church which you build from my 
plan, 
Never while stars in their courses revolve 

Shall be finished by mortal man." 



Thus with a flash and a groan went the Fiend, 
And nothing to this day is known 

As to the name, the condition, and fame 
Of the poor architect of Cologne. 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 2"] 

A silence fell upon the little band. 
But soon the student quickly waved his hand, 
As if to brush aside such legends old, 
And, with a manner quite reserved and cold, 
And tinctured with that scepticism which now 
Pervades all classes more or less, we know, 
But most of all the young ; the student said : 
" No wonder that the minds which daily fed 
On stories such as this should never grow 
To any strength or power, but weakly bow 
Before the fate which seemed to hold them 

bound 
As in a vise. So on this holy ground 
Six centuries this noble church has stood, 
A monument to all that 's pure and good, 
Unfinished. Now at last it seems to be 
Entirely built, and so you plainly see 
It only needed just a little strength 
Of mind, which, happily, has come at 

length." 
The sacristan smiled sadly : " Yes, my son, 
The church indeed is very nearly done. 
But after all, you see the marble floors 
Are not quite finished, and the heavy doors 
Which are to be the glory of the church 
Have been delayed, from time to time. We 

search 
In vain to find the secret of the bell 



28 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 



Which hangs in yonder tower. Its clangorous 

swell 
Is frightful, yet the bell has not a flaw. 
On this the Devil, too, has laid his claw. 
Mark well my words. They think this struc- 
ture will 

Be finished soon. 'T is un- 
completed still." 
And, with a shrug and goodly 

pinch of snuff, 
The sacristan departed in a 

huff; 
As who should say : " These 
strangers in our town ! 
What right have they to pull our legends down 
Or put our churches up, we 'd like to know 1 
And I, for one, would like to tell them so." 
The friends departed, with a smile, and went 
To see the church St. Ursula was sent 
To grace, with legends of her life and times. 
Her faith, and love, her beauty, and her 

rhymes, 
And most of all, her bones, and those of all 
Th' eleven thousand virgins, of whose fall 
Beneath the hands of ruthless Huns, brave 

tales 
Are told, at which the stoutest spirit quails. 




LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 29 

Full many other sights in fair Cologne 
Our travelers enjoyed, each one his own 
Peculiar thoughts put to the pleasure found 
At every step, on this historic ground. 
The trip up to the Alte Burg is one 
Which never should a poet leave undone, 
For here the tricksy Kobolds had their home, 
And here they still believe the Kobolds come. 
One little urchin, with a face quite pale 
With horror, told our friends this grewsome 
tale. 



THE KOBOLD AND THE BISHOP OF 
HILDESHEIM'S KITCHEN-BOY. 



31 



THE KOBOLD AND THE BISHOP OF 
HILDESHEIM'S KITCHEN-BOY. 

pOUND kitchen-fires, 
*• ^ With vain desires, 

Roamed Kobold old and gray. 
Some meat he took, 
, And so the cook 

Forthwith sent him away. 



But this was naught, 
The Kobold thought. 
To what the boy 
had done. 
'T was nothing less 
Than dirty mess, 
Thrown o'er him, 
just for fun. 



That very night. 
As soon as light 

Departed from the sky. 
The Kobold came 
Up to his game. 

Revenge was in his eye 
33 




34 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 

That boy he took, 
And with a look 

He killed him on the spot. 
Then, for his sup. 
He cut him up, 

And filled the dinner pot. 

This awful fate 
Came not too late 

To warn and guard the rest. 
And, from that day, 
The peasants gay 

Ne'er with the Kobolds jest. 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 



35 



A shout of laughter met the little lad, 
Whose heart was soothed, and 

presently made glad 
By several silver coins put in 

his hand. 
This was a language he could 

understand 
Far better than the mirth his 

tale provoked. 
To him it was a thing not 

lightly joked 
About, these tales of ghosts, 

or with a shout 
Of laughter greeted. Every 

lazy lout 

Was threatened with the vengeance of the fay, 
If his appointed task was not each day 
Done well. And every night some milk, or 

cream, 
Or bread, was set aside, with childish dream 
That possibly a Kobold might come by, 
And, after doing all the farm-work, try 
To rest himself, and take a little food. 
Far better thus to have a spirit good 
Attend one, than the other kind, which these 
Become at once if we their hearts displease. 




36 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS, 




Another sprite which at Godorf one hears 

Sad tales about, if e'er one 

interferes 
With him, or follows his 

delusive light, 
Is '' Heervvisch," Into 
many a sorry plight 
He leads unwary travelers. 
His name 
^^ " Will-o'-the-Wisp " with 
us, his traits the same. 
The peasants of Godorf a 
tale unfold 
Of how a heedless girl the goblin old 
Defied, and sang aloud this silly rhyme. 
Which makes him madly chase one every time. 

'' Heerwisch! Ho! Ho! 
Brenst wie haberstroh 
Schlag mich blHzeblo'' 

" Heerwisch ! Ho ! Ho ! 
Flare like a low. 
Come, or I go." 

On which the goblin followed her at once. 
Ere in his face the stupid little dunce 
Could shut the door of her own home, he flew 
Within, with fiery wings, like lightnings blue. 
The shock stunned every body present there, 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 37 

As if a thunder-bolt in clearest air 

Had fallen down. As for the maiden's plight, 

She never quite recovered from her fright. 



And now upon the deep and flowing Rhine 
Our Pilgrims started, with this wise design. 
To stop where'er their roving fancies willed, 
And drink from pleasure's brimming goblets, 

filled 
With youth's enthusiasm and manhood's 

power ; 
So that each day, each swiftly flying hour 
Should bring them joy which they could fully 

taste, 
And not spoil all their trip, through too much 

haste. 
Their first stop was a castle quite near by, 
The German matron's, whence one could 

descry 
The lovely stream, and here a day or so 
They had the kindest welcome one could 

know. 
For maid and matron did their very best 
To show the greatest favor to each guest. 
Where 's hospitality in any land 
Found greater than from German hostess's 

hand? 



38 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 

And for old friends, of course, the task is sweet 
To give a greeting kind, and welcome meet. 



Again the Rhine, and on its shores they 

passed 
The ruined tower, all now remains, at last. 
To mark the story of the wondrous harp, 







Made from a lovely maiden's hair, whose 

sharp 
Sad fate it was, to perish by the hand 
Of her own sister. Love, you understand, 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 39 

Was at the root of all the trouble sad. 

The maiden fair a plighted lover had. 

The sister loved him, too, so in the stream 

She drowned the fair one, in the wicked dream 

Of winning soon the lover to herself. 

Her schemes were blighted, for some cunning 

elf 
Made of a maid a harp, which, loudly struck 
By clever wandering minstrel, brought ill- 
luck 
To all nefarious schemes, and death to her 
Who dared her sister's lover to prefer. 



At Schwartz-Rheindorf, before they came to 

Bonn, 
They paused awhile, and drew a peasant on 
To tell the story of the convent there, 
Now ruined, though it once was passing fair. 



SCHWARTZ-RHEINDORF. 



41 



SCHWARTZ-RHEINDORF. 

A Judgment against Gluttony. 

nPHE Lady- Abbess and all her nuns 
* • Went hurrying down to the river. 
For spring had come, 
And the river's hum 

Had set the leaves a-quiver. 

The Lady-Abbess and all her nuns 
Were watching the fish succumbing. 

Two sturgeons fine, 

Off which to dine. 

Were pleasure worth the coming. 

The Lady-Abbess and all her nuns 

Had been most hard and snatching. 
For many poor 
They turned from their door, 

Because some of their fish they 'd been 
catching. 

43 



44 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 

The Lady-Abbess and all her nuns 

Took both of the two great sturgeons ; 

In spite of the law, 

When they plainly foresaw 

They 'd be sick, and a case for the surgeons. 




The Lady-Abbess and all her nuns 

Were punished far worse than the fishes. 

When down at the board 

Were seated the horde, 

Not a vestige of fish in the dishes. 



The Lady- Abbess and all her nuns 

Screamed with rage at the cook and the 
waiters. 

" Oh, what have you done ? 

Of the fishes not one 

Remains for your reverend ?naters." 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 45 

The Lady-x\bbess and all her nuns 
Looked adown the shining river, 

And away and afar, 

Like the evening star, 

Shone the fish in the light all a-quiver. 

The Lady-Abbess and all her nuns 

(For the convent should be an almsgiver). 

Were judged so amiss, 

That from that day to this 

They could catch ne'er a fish from that 
river. 



46 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 



" An awful warning ! " said the doctor's 

voice, 
As smilingly he wiped his eyes. The choice 
Of evils is but small, and yet 1 think 
I 'd rather eat the fishes than to drink 
A cup of disappointment like to that. 
The fishes might have made them sick, but 

what 
Would that have been to missing such a 

dish? 
I think we must forgive them, for the fish 
They missed." Then with a laugh and smile 

passed on 
The friendly five, until they came to Bonn. 
There was that dread tribunal's awful power 
The Middle Ages feared, in troublous hour. 
And here the robber-knight, Von Feyermahl, 
Was brought to answer justice's noble call. 
For running off with Kommern's lovely maid. 
His life the forfeit which at length he paid. 



Beyond, the Drachenfels, where Siegfried 

won 
The fame the Nibelungen Lied gives one 
Who nobly earned it. Here the dragon kept 
The treasure of the king, his daughter, wept 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 47 

As lost, until released and homeward led 

In triumph. Gladly would the maid have 

wed 
Her rescuer. But this was not to be, 
For Siegfried, loveless, cared but to be free. 



The tale of Nonnenworth and Rolandseck 
Was told while passing, on the steamer's 
deck. 



NONNENWORTH AND ROLANDSECK. 



49 



NONNENWORTH AND ROLANDSECK 

" IT ILDEGUNDA, maiden fair, 

^ -^ Hildegunda, flower most rare, 
May I on my helmet wear 
Favors thine, sweet lady ? " 

Thus spake Roland, knight of old, 
Roland brave, in battle bold. 
Yet whose heart, most strangely cold, 
Ne'er before found lady. 

Blushingly she answered him ; 
Gave a rose ; her eyes were dim 
With her tears, for life and limb 
He would soon be risking. 

In Crusades, far, far away 
Sped the knight at break of day. 
War is not a roundelay ; 
Nor its fate worth risking. 

Time sped on, and ne'er a word 
Had the hapless maiden heard 
51 



52 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 

For a twelvemonth, since had spurr'd 
Far away her lover. 

" Woe is me ! " the lady cried. 
" Roland surely must have died, 
Else he would his promised bride 
Send news of her lover." 

In the monastery near 
Sought she comfort for her fear ; 
Taking heavenward her career, 
All of earth forswearing. 

Came at last the pilgrim back. 
Many foes along his track 
He had laid full low, alack ! 
Danger ne'er forswearing. 

Now, howe'er, before him loomed 
Grief to which his life was doomed ; 
For no more before him bloomed 
Lily fair, his lady. 

Oh, the grief of that brave knight ! 
Powerless his strength and might 
For restoring to his sight 
Evermore, his lady. 




u*^ 



" Gave a rose, 
53 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 55 

Opposite the little isle 
Where the convent stood, a hill 
Overlooked it, stern and chill. 
There sat down brave Roland. 

There he built of rock and stone 
Tiny hut, for him alone. 
Convent-bells of solemn tone. 
Heard each day brave Roland. 

Years passed thus, until one day 
Roland heard the solemn lay 
For a sister passed away, 
Sung for Hildegunda. 

Down upon the river's bank, 
Worn and weak the warrior sank, 
Passed from Life to Death's dark rank. 
Joining Hildegunda. 

Peasants sometimes hear the sound 
Of sweet singing, underground. 
Nevermore to part, now found, 
Roland and Hildegunda. 



56 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 



A little silence fell upon the friends, 

As when a touching melodrama ends. 

But presently, with stories of the mine 

Near by, which, haunted by a monk, whose 

wine. 
If tasted once, strange fortunes brought to 

those 
Who drank, our friends' bright spirits quickly 

rose. 
This monk, or gnome is Meister Hammerling 
Called by the bards who of his prowess sing. 
Soon by the walls of Hammerstein, the boat 
Brought all our friends, where many an anec- 
dote 
Of Charles Martel (the Hammer) one could 

hear. 
Perhaps the name from iron-works quite near 
Was giv'n, however. But Count Otto's bride, 
Fair Irmengarde, and Henry Fourth, beside, 
Are subjects certain to attract the love 
Of all romancers. How Count Otto strove 
To keep his lovely cousin for his wife, 
In spite of Pope and King, and all his life 
Devoted to her. Andernach which comes 
Upon the view past Hammerstein, becomes 
At times, they say, within the ruined walls 
Of its old castle, such a scene of brawls 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 57 

And shoutings, and such fiendish, ugly mirth, 
Unseemly, wild, as never souls from earth 
Could make. And strange, and fiendish forms 

and shapes 
Are said to have been seen. The while es- 
capes 
From ruined chimneys, clouds of sulphurous 

smoke, 
To make the stoutest lungs fill up and choke. 
And now Coblentz, and Ehrenbreitstein, too, 
Across the river flash upon the view. 
" Honor's broad stone " this fortress e'er shall 

be, 
While German valor keeps that nation free. 
And still beyond, the little island known 
As Oberworth, which had a house of stone 
Upon it once, a convent. There was found 
One spot so bare, 't was called the Devil's 

ground. 
The awful tale a simple country lass 
Here told our friends. We cannot let it pass. 



THE DANCE O' THE DEAD. 



59 



THE DANCE O' THE DEAD. 

TTURRYING, scurrying, out from the light, 
* ^ Blown about wildly by winds of the 
night, 

Grevvsomely dance. 

Retreat and advance, 

Shaking their bones 

Over the stones. 

Laughing so free. 

Yet without glee, 
Dance on forever the fiends of the night. 



Woe to the mortal approaching too near, 
Letting the sounds of their mirth reach his ear. 

Straightway he feels 

Strange life in his heels, 

And e'er he knows 

Round him they close. 

Leading him on, 

E'er and anon 
Seizing him, hurrying past with a jeer. 
6i 



62 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 

Into their circle at last he is drawn, 

And long before the gray light of the dawn 

Scatters the host, 

All hope he has lost. 

Faster and swift. 

Now all adrift, 

Madly he whirls. 

Curses he hurls, 
Yet by naught can the foul spell be withdrawn. 

On and yet on whirls the dance to its goal. 
Visions of blackness before him unroll ; 

All his misdeeds. 

With strange thoughts and creeds, 

As in a trance, — 

Still his feet dance. 

Sinks he, at last, 

Worn out, aghast. 
And may the Lord give repose to his soul. 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 63 

The pious woman crossed herself, and spoke 
In awe-struck tones. At length, the student 

broke 
The silence, calling their attention then 
To Lahneck, still a frowning castle, when 
The Templars held it as a last resort, 
And perished nobly there, in firm support 
Of what they held as right. Soon Rhens 

appeared 
Upon the farther shore, and proudly reared 
The JRoyal Throne, or hill, the Kunigstuhl, 
Where Wenceslaus, the emperor, a fool 
Indeed, forsook his lands and castle fine, 
And sold them all for Bacharach's strong 

wine. 
The Nixies' special home along this shore, 
From warlike Boppart to the still St. Goar. 
This martial Boppart, named 

for him who slew 
His lady love, Maria 

and true. 
Not knowing her in 

man's stout ar- 
mor dressed. 
Until she breathed 

her last upon 

his breast. 




64 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 

And just beyond St. Goar, upon the sight 
Of all the travelers, a glorious light 
Fell full upon that rock, so closely bound 
With most romantic legend ever found — 
" The Lurlei." At the very name comes forth 
A host of fancies, proving well its worth. 
And here, the German maiden, with a smile. 
And modest hope the journey to beguile, 
As gently up the stream they sailed along, 
Told once again the tale, in sweetest song. 



THE LURLEI. 



6s 



THE LURLEI. 

LJIGH up on the rocks, in the moonlight's 
^ ^ gleam, 

The Lurlei weaves her spell. 
She is beautiful as a poet's dream, 

And she knows her power full well. 

Around her ever there seems to play, 

Enveloping all her form, 
A faint green light, like the river's spray. 

When it leaps up, soft and warm. 

Her eyes are like stars of the brightest 
heaven, — 

Her smile like a magic wand. 
Her golden harp, with its strings just seven. 

Hangs over the rocks, near her hand. 

Her locks, of a lovely golden hue, 

Fall over her shoulders fair. 
While a golden comb flashes through and 
through, 
And she sings as she combs her hair. 
67 



68 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 

She sings a song of such wonderful power 

That nothing like it is heard, 
Save the music, perhaps, of a man's last hour, 

Or the lilt of the paradise bird. 

Once heard, it never can be forgot, 

That song so weird and wild. 
It echoes for miles around the spot, 

And even the waves are beguiled. 

Now woe betide the fisherman bold 

Or the knight of high degree ! 
If he hears the song of the sorceress cold, 

A lost man surely is he ! 

But who shall tell of the joy he feels. 

That strange, wild joy unknown 
Save to him who with love of the Lurlei reels, 

Climbing up to her rocky throne. 

Ere into the stream, to her watery den, 
The bright, mocking Lurlei leads, 

Who shall say on what joys past human ken 
The soul of her lover feeds ? 

But if the friends of the lost one send 
To capture the maiden fair, 




--^ 




'^ '-^ 



H^gh up'on the rocks, in the moonlight's gleam, 
The Lurlei weaves her spell." 
69 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE, /I 

Far over the stream, with a mocking bend, 
She tosses her golden hair. 

With a gurgling sound the waters rise, 

With a loving rush and swirl, 
And carry away, before their eyes, 

The mocking, laughing girl. 

And on the rocks, the very next night. 

The same as ever she stands ; 
Still combing her hair in the clear moonlight, 

Or holding her harp in her hands. 

Oh, how can one brave the Lurlei's power, 
How her charms and spells subdue ? 

What will warn and guard one in danger's 
hour ? 
Will nothing betray a clue ? 

As long as beauty and love exist, 

As long as hearts are warm. 
So long will it always be hard to resist 

The Lurlei's, or beauty's, charm. 



J 2 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 



" Thanks, Madchen ! " cried they all, when 

ceased the song ; 
While on them, and on all the shores along, 
There seemed to rest the Lurlei's magic spell. 
It stirred their pulses, young and old as well. 
They listened for the echo, as it came, 
Repeating ever Lurlei's magic name 
Whene'er they called it. Presently in sight 
" The Seven Sisters " (seven rocks), whose 

plight 
And fate were dreadful, as their hearts w^ere 

hard. 
They scorned their lovers' prayers ; this their 

reward. 
As rocks, they stop and bar the river's way, 
And rocks they will be till the Judgment 

Day. 



'^ The Devil's Ladder " next attention claimed, 
At Lorch ; for here a maiden justly famed 
For youth and grace, was stolen by a gnome, 
Because her father did not open home 
And heart to him, a night or two before ; 
And here the maid was kept two years and 
more. 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 



n 



At length a lover found a way to climb 

Up on the rocks, and won his bride, in time. 




At Rheinstein, too, full oft a tale is told 
Of how a stratagem of lover bold 
Succeeded, and how fast the maiden rode 
Away from gouty bridegroom, to th' abode 
Of handsome Cuno, where the wedding feast 
Was eaten with rejoicing love, at least. 
And now, at length, they neared fair Bingen's 

shore, 
But passing first, at Bingen's very door, 



74 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 

The famous Mouse Tower, Bishop Hatto's 

tomb, 
Where that unlucky man met justice's doom. 
The tale most ably told in flowing rhyme 
By Southey's pen, was read just at the time 
Of passing, by the Boston Matron, who 
Possessed a voice, well modulated, true, 
And sweet to hear. The story is well known. 
How Bishop Hatto fled away alone 
To this, his fortress on the Rhine, because 
He feared the vengeance of high Heaven's 

laws. 
With promises of corn to starving poor 
He 'd filled his barn, and then made fast the 

door. 
And burnt them all, both women, men, and 

babes. 
Although his conscience, blunt, forbore its 

stabs, 
Heav'n's judgment came. A host of rats ap- 
peared. 
They ate his corn, and straight their pathway 

steered 
Toward Bishop Hatto's palace. Off he fled. 
But they pursued him, and as quickly sped 
Across the river, up the tower's wall, 
And in at every hole and chink, though all 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 



75 



Were barred with greatest care. They gnawed 

their way 
Through every fastening, without delay. 




With sharpened teeth, they on the bishop fell. 
And scarcely left one bone the tale to tell. 
This Hatto must a wily man have been, 
As by this other story here is seen. 



BISHOP HATTO'S TREASON. 



77 



BISHOP HATTO'S TREASON. 

" TJ O ! Archbishop Hatto I " cried Ludwig 

n the Child, 
Who in Germany ruled with a power far too 

mild, 
''Will no one make way with Adalbert the 

bold ? 
This knight too much })ower continues to hold ! 
In spite of my battles he keeps me in check. 
His forces are strong, and they come at his 

beck. 
From his thralldom I 've struggled to shake 

myself free, 
But Adalbert is still far too wily for me." 

'* Let me try," said Hatto, '' I '11 ]ninish his 

crime ! 
My life on it, I will outwit him this time ! " 
So, forth from the king's court he hurried 

away, 
And reached the knight's castle with little 

delay. 

79 



8o NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 

Right humbly Adalbert received him, and 

said : — 
^' On an errand of mercy and truth are ye sped, 
Holy Father ? To Ehrenfels welcome full 

kind 
Would I give to a man of such liberal mind," 

^' My son," said the bishop, ''your king and 

your lord 
Would fain be a friend to you. Put up your 

sword. 
Make submission, and take then this boon 

without leaven, 
The peace of your king and the blessing of 

Heaven." 
With words such as these did the bishop pre- 
vail ; 
And promised safe conduct, without the least 

fail. 
'' As sure as God liveth," the archbishop spake, 
And his hand on the cross did not waver or 

shake. 



"As sure as God liveth, I '11 bring you safe 

back 
To this castle, and if aught of ill cross your 

track. 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 8 1 

May the Lord deal with me thus, and more 

than that, too, 
A thousand times over, if ill befall you." 
Not an hour on their journey had started the 

train. 
When the bishop put hand to his head, as in 

pain. 
" You 're not hospitable to your bishop. Sir 

Knight ; 
I am faint, and my head aches with hunger's 

might." 

" Oh, pardon ! A thousand times ])ardon, my 

lord I 
Come back and sit down at my well-laden 

board. 
In my ardor of loyalty, ardor of host 
Was forgotten a moment, though never was 

lost." 
So back to the castle fast hurried the men. 
Ate their breakfast and hurried away again ; 
And by evening reached the proud court of 

the king. 
At whose feet the knight hastened his homage 

to bring. 

" Hold the traitor ! " cried Ludwig, while 
Hatto stood near, 



82 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 

And saw the knight seized, yet did not inter- 
fere. 

'' You pledged your troth, Bishop," the baffled 
knight cried. 

" But for you and your hojior, I 'd not thus have 
died." 

''And did I not keep it?" said Hatto, the 
lure, 

"I promised I 'd take you in safety secure 

To your castle. And did I not do so, my 
son .? 

You asked no further promise. I gave you 
but one." 

Then up rose the knight, and before to his 
death 

They hurried him off, he said, gasping for 
breath : — 

" My curse be upon you ! Lord Bishop, be- 
ware ! 

Both in Church and in State, a man must play 
fair. 

My fate is most cruel, yet, if you could see 

The future, which now is unrolled before 
me. 

You would shudder and quake at your own 
guilty end, 

For Heaven is certain its vengeance to send. 



LEGENDS OE THE RHINE. 83 

''You shall die by the teeth of vermin alone. 
They shall pick your flesh from every bone. 
And though, for mercy on Heaven you call, 
Your voice shall ring back from a hard gray 

wall. 
As hard and as cruel as is your heart, 
Which by vermin and fiends shall be torn 

apart. 
And through every age shall the story run, 
Of Hatto, whose treachery 's equaled by 

none ! " 



84 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 



A little farther on, at Riidesheim, 
They tell a tale of that unhappy time 
When all the world crusading went. The sire 
Of lovely Gisela Bromser, from the fire 
Of Paynim arms and slavery escaped, 
Her future life against her liking shaped. 
She loved a noble youth of high degree ; 
Her father vowed the convent walls should be 
Her future home. At last, in her despair, 
She threw herself within the Rhine, just where 
It flows around the lofty castle wall, 
And ended thus her griefs, and hopes, and all. 
Her father built a cloister, to atone 
For all his harshness, but his child was gone. 
The peasants think her gentle spirit roves 
Around the place, with voice like cooing doves. 

Time presses us, to tell of Ingelheim, 

And Charlemagne's adventures, love, and 

crime ; 
Of Eginhard, and Emma fair and brave, 
Who, maidenly and knightly fame to save. 
Across the courtyard, where lay thick the 

snow, 
Bore Eginhard upon her back, to show 
The footsteps of one person only, from 
Her chamber-window, issuing therefrom. 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE, 85 

The monarch saw them, but he pardoned, too. 
Their marriage quickly followed love so true. 
And now to Mayence, with the two stone heads 
Upon its walls, to tell of treason's deeds. 
The Frauenlob, Von Meissen, lingers here 
In memory and song so sweet and clear. 
And, in the wall of its cathedral, there 
Exists a fragment of the tomb so fair, 
Erected for Fastrada, best loved wife 
Of Charlemagne, who mourned her all his life, 
Such influence she had o'er court and king. 
This is the story of her magic ring. 



FASTRADA'S RING. 



67 



FASTRADA'S RING. 



/^F all of the treasures Fastrada possessed, 
^-^ Freely giv'n by the love of the king, 
The one she considered the choicest and best. 
And prized above rubies, and all of the rest. 
Was the stone in her magic ring. 



'T was a curious stone, of most singular hue. 

And giv'n in a singular way 
By a serpent, who Charlemagne's great justice 

knew, 
And claimed 'gainst a toad who his nest hid 
from view 
The king's help, without any delay. 



And justice was done to the serpent, who then. 

To show his respect toward the king. 
Laid this beautiful gem on his table, and when 
The king turned to thank him, away to his den 
Crawled the snake, leaving only the ring. 



90 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 

So the fair Empress wore it, and with it the love 

Of all who beheld her she drew 
To herself, and her charms round the mon- 
arch she wove 
So securely, that ne'er from her side would 
he rove. 
And daily his love for her grew. 

But Death claimed Fastrada, so, under her 
tongue. 

She tried the rich treasure to hide. 
O'er her perishing body the Emperor hung. 
And to her loved garments he still fondly clung, 

Till torn weeping away from her side. 

The archbishop, finding the jewel, transferred 
\ he monarch's affection to him. 

He hung on the archbishop's every word. 

In fact, this strange love was a trifle absurd, 
And did not pass away, like a whim. 

So, into the hot springs at Aix-la-Chapelle 

The archbishop threw it away. 
The people were charmed, for all chroniclers 

tell 
How the king loved this city most fondly and 
well. 
In these springs the ring rests, to this day. 




91 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 93 

Would you know the bright jewel, which, 
polished or rough, 
Brings that love which Fastrada ne'er 
lacked ? 
You may find the gem still, if you search 

long enough. 
Though it sparkles so brightly, 't is quite com- 
mon stuff, 
For the name of the jewel is — tact. 



94 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 



Still farther up the Rhine, and east, and west, 
Our travelers found much of interest, 
And fain would linger 'neath the magic spell 
These legends cast o'er rocks and trees, as 

well 
As on the far-famed stream. A magic thrill 
Ran through them all, a feeling of good-will 
Among the elders, something more, perhaps, 
With those two younger hearts, who felt the 

lapse 
Of time less keenly. For the sun of youth 
Adorns and gilds with its eternal truth 
Each day the happy lives it shines upon 
And glorifies, — but more of this anon. 

At Heidelberg, with ruined castle crowned, 
This tale, of truly heathen lore, was found. 



THE PRIESTESS OF HERTHA. 



95 



THE PRIESTESS OF HERTHA 

TF faithless ever priestess prove, 
^ Or sacrifice to human love, 
Hertha will be avenged. 




So runs the law, yet, in despite. 

One maiden loved a handsome knight. 

Hertha will be avenged. 

97 



98 NYMPHS, AUXIES, AND NAIADS. 

By sacrifices fair and sweet 

They hoped the goddess's eyes to cheat 

Hertha will be avenged. 

Not long the guilty pair enjoyed 

Their stolen love, for, while they toyed, 

Hertha would be avenged. 

Next day the lover came, to find 

A sight which nearly turned his mind ; 

Hertha would be avenged. 

For o'er his love a fierce wolf stood, 
And feasted on her heart's warm blood 
And Hertha was avenged. 




^* 'M 



Who wave their thin white veils 
And dance upon the lake." 



99 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE, 1 01 

And now, within the deep Black Forest, glide 
Our friends, where rocks, and trees, and 

lakes, all hide 
The airy beings of th' ideal world. 
If, in the " Mummelsee " a stone is hurled. 
So great the stormy anger it provokes 
Among the water-nymphs and fairy folks 
Who live there, that they send a dreadful 

storm 
Forthwith, and often do the greatest harm. 
Here any misty night are clearly seen 
These spectres of the lake, of witching mien, 
The " Miimmeli," who wave their thin white 

veils 
And dance upon the lake. Full many tales 
Of peasants there, tell how their lovers bold 
Adore these maidens, stony-hearted, cold. 
And sometimes follow them, when, at the hour 
Appointed by their mighty master's power, 
They have to seek again their watery home. 
Such men, thus drowned, ne'er to the surface 

come. 
Some lovers do not drown themselves, but 

wait 
Upon the bank, until a much worse fate 
O'ertakes them, lovesickness, and mad de- 
spair. 
Until they end existence, starving there. 



I02 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 



Of gnomes and fairies is the forest full. 

Rastatt boasts a " White Lady's " spectral 

rule. 
Near Gernsbach, the " Klingelcapelle " stands, 
Commemorating rescue from the hands 



c>%'r^'X. 





Of temptress, in the form of woman fair. 

Who once beset a pious hermit there. 

The holy man was just about to yield 

To her strong fascinations, when there pealed 

A chime of tinkling bells upon his ear. 

Which drove the fiend away, in greatest fear. 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 1 03 

So once more with the shield of faith arrayed, 
The hermit kneeled, and thankfully he prayed. 

The Devil's Pulpit, and the Angel's, too. 
Stand face to face, near Mt. Mercurius's view. 
The Devil tried his best to argue down 
The Angel sent to conquer his renown ; 
And he, at first, prevailed, but by and by, 
The Angel's arguments, so pure and high. 
Gained favor, and the Devil fled away. 
Both pulpits will stand empty, legends say. 
Until the Devil finds a man who 's tried 
To fill them both, and argue on each side. 

The ^' Rockert " fairy lives near Eberstein, 
And presents makes of food, and corn, and 

wine. 
To starving but deserving poor, who love 
To sing her praises through each dell and 

grove. 

The legend of Alt-Windeck's castle old, 
To all our friends, a queer old man there 
told. 



ALT-WINDECK. 



105 



ALT-WINDECK. 

A Warning to the Masses. 

A knight of this castle imprisoned a dean, 
'**' A popular dean of Strassburg. 
But his people and friends would not thus let 
him go, 
This popular dean of Strassburg. 

So, with peasants insurgent, they quickly laid 
siege 

To the castle, and would have succeeded 
In forcing a way, had not strangely appeared 

A trench, which their pathway impeded 

No mortal in sight, but a queer little hen 
Pecked away at the earth. 'T was a fairy, 

Who flew to the castle, and there gave advice, 
With a manner most haughty and airy. 
107 



I08 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 

" Now, listen, Sir Knight, to a fairy's advice. 
Don't you see how much greater your 
power, 
To league with the Church, and o'er clod- 
hoppers rule, 
When the clouds of danger lower?" 

" True enough ! " said the knight, and he let 
the dean go. 
After entering into alliance. 
" If the Church and the State together hold 
sway, 
To the people they bid defiance ! " 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 109 



Our travelers would fain have lingered long, 
Within this lovely home of myths and song. 
Black Forest legends have an air of truth 
Which comes from forests' deep perennial 

youth. 
One feels that anything might happen there, 
And love and faith and hope shine every- 
where. 

But time is pressing, and we hurry on 

To reach the great Hartz Mountains, and of 

one 
Adventure, which our faithful friends befell. 
To speak of, and its consequence to tell. 
The scene, the summit of the Brocken, morn 
The time, and here the German maiden, 

sworn 
To secrecy, has started out to see 
The Brocken spectre, if such chance might 

be. 
The student, too, all unsuspecting, went 
Up to the top, by path quite different. 
The mists enveloped everything a while, 
But presently the sun began to smile, 
And far away a figure seemed to rise, 
And come from out the misty, cloudy skies ; 
A figure of a young and lovely maid, 



no NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. 

But huge, gigantic in proportion made. 
She raises up her hand and beckons. Lo, 
Two figures now upon the cloud-mists glow. 
The other is a man, who, standing, waits, 
As if he saw beyond the pearly gates. 
Yet not upon the wondrous, cloudy skies 
Are fixed his looks, but oh the Madchen's 

eyes. 
For there he finds the answer, long desired, 
To most important question, love inspired. 
Ah, well ! 'T was only Brocken spectres 

heard 
The words he uttered, or a passing bird 
Perchance, who knew the old, old story well. 
And none of these, forsooth, would ever tell. 

Right lively ran the German matron's tongue ; 
But love is love, and people will be young. 
And pleased was she, the son of her old 

friend 
Should seek her much-loved daughter's life 

to blend 
With his. — And so, like shadows, come and 

go 
The real and th' unreal, mingled so. 
That through life's drama still the question 

spins, 
Where ends the fact, where fancy then begins. 



LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. I I I 

And, while we say " adieu," and from our 

sight 
We see both friends and legends vanish quite, 
We hope these lovers' lives as smooth may 

run 
As sailed their boat beneath that summer's 

sun. 
While still th' ideal world around may move. 
The true ideal, that of faithful love, 
Whether their home is on the Hudson fine. 
Or, in the Madchen's castle on the Rhine. 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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